OVERVIEW
The Central Valley City Schools’ technology program supports all district technology needs: administration and curriculum & instruction. Starting with the Superintendent, and including personnel from the principals up to and including the custodians, as well as approximately 1,700 students - all individuals have appropriate access to computer hardware, software applications and the Internet. To support the end-user’s technology needs, the current program includes: the wide-area network (WAN), which connects eight schools and the main office to each other and to the Internet; building-level local area networks (LANs) connecting the 550 plus end-user computers; network servers, printers, wireless devices, and peripherals such as scanners, electronic interactive whiteboards and computer projection systems.
Budgeting for Online Courses
The school board appropriates funds every fiscal year that are designated for technology expenditures. In addition to the yearly fund, Central Valley has also acquired a grant through the state (see "Additional Financing" below) to help offset additional costs related to the implementation of a course management system. The grant has been approved, but not disbursed. The administration will allocate grant funding on a percentage basis among all technology projects, including the Moodle/TRECA implementation.
ProposedBudget for Implementation of Moodle Install/Online Courses
District Expenditures
2011-2012
2012-2013
QTY
Total
QTY
Total
High school roll-out of Moodle/online course options
Middle school roll-out of Moodle/online course foreign lang. options
County Technology Consortium Agreement (ongoing yearly)
OECN support agreement
(Management Council Ohio Education Computer Network, 2010)
1
10,000
$10000
1
10,000
$10000
County Technology Consortium Agreement (ongoing yearly)
OECN support agreement
e-Tech Ohio Conference - rotating staff each year
20
350
$7000
20
350
$7000
e-Tech Ohio Conference - rotating staff each year
Professional Development - (e-Tech related only)
2 days * 20 staff = 40 * $90. (sub) = $3,600
2 nts hotel *20 staff = 40 * $135. = $ 5,400
misc (gas/meals) $800.00
1
9,800
$9800
1
9800
$9800
Professional Development - (e-Tech related only)
2 days * 20 staff = 40 * $90. (sub) = $3,600
2 nts hotel *20 staff = 40 * $135. = $ 5,400
misc (gas/meals) $800.00
Professional Development - (Moodle-related only)
each staff 2 day wksp & 1/2 day release time - HS teachers
2 days * 125 staff =250 * $90. (sub) = $22,500
.5 day * 110 teachers/rel time = 55 * $50. (sub) = 2,750
1
25,250
$25,250
1
25,250
$25,250
Professional Development - (Moodle-related only)
each staff 2 day wksp & 1/2 day release time - MS teachers
2 days * 125 staff =250 * $90. (sub) = $22,500
.5 day * 110 teachers/rel time = 55 * $50. (sub) = 2,750
Professional Development - general technology
(in-services & in-house workshops during early release days)
*outsourcing technical help to work with staff
1
8000
$8000
1
8000
$8000
Professional Development - general technology
(in-services & in-house workshops during early release days)
*outsourcing technical help to work with staff
County personnel - help w/Moodle install &
system admin w/ district technology coordinator
20 hours * 70/hour
1
1400
$1400
0
0
0
County personnel (Moodle install complete)
TRECA - Mandarin
5
250
$1250
12
250
$3000
TRECA - Mandarin - 10 HS students, 2 MS students (surveyed students previous year to receive estimate of how many students are interested in for. lang. options)
TRECA - Japanese
5
250
$1250
10
250
$2500
TRECA - Japanese - 8 HS students, 2 MS students (surveyed students previous year to receive estimate of how many students are interested in for. lang. options)
TRECA - Health
120
60
$720
250
60
$1500
TRECA - Health (available to HS only. Surveyed students previous year to receive estimate of how many HS students plan on taking online course)
Financial Literacy Instructor - Stipend/release time
500.00 stipend to design online unit
1 day release time to set-up course ($90.00 sub)
1
590
$590
0
0
0
Fin Lit design is complete.
Financial Literacy Instructor - monitor course
10
50
$500
20
50
$1000
Financial Literacy Instructor - monitor course (approximate # of students who need unit to graduate)
Mobile Laptop cart including 15 new laptops - High School
1
15000
$15000
1
1000
$1000
replacement laptop/ mobile cart
Desktop computers for each building lab
0
0
0
240
1200
28,800
New Desktop computers for each building lab
30 computers * 8 labs (to be purchased in June
& installed over summer)
Replace damaged staff computer
1
1425
$2850
0
0
0
Damaged computer
Replacement Laptop batteries
10
100
$1000
10
100
$1000
Replacement Laptop batteries
Replacement Laptop power cords
5
40
$200
5
40
$200
Replacement Laptop power cords
Headphone replacements - high school labs
120
20
$2400
4
20
$80
Headphone replacements (estimate)
Power back up - additional/replacement
4
120
$480
2
120
$480
Power back-up
Server
1
5000
$5000
0
0
0
Server
Backup Drives
4
100
$400
0
0
0
Backup Drives
HP ProCurve Switch 3400cl-48 10/100/1000
1
3500
$3500
0
0
0
Switch
SmartBoard - library/videoconference room
1
1600
$1600
0
0
0
Smartboard
Projectorlibrary/videoconference room
1
950
$950
0
0
0
Projector
Kyoceria Laser Printer - replace for 4 buildings -
4
240
$960
4
240
$960
Laser Printer - replace for 4 buildings
Projector Bulb
2
365
$730
2
365
$730
Projector Bulbs
Mounted Projector - library/videoconference room
1
950
$950
0
0
0
Mounted Projector
DVD's (for classroom use/back-up software, etc.)
6
20
$120
6
20
$120
DVD's (for classroom use/back-up software, etc.)
MP3 Players
4
150
$600
4
150
$600
MP3 Players
DVD Player
2
100
$200
2
100
$200
DVD Player
Writable Cds
1
30
$30
1
30
$30
Writable Cds
Maintenance, Upgrades estimate (wires, cables, misc. parts) (to be eligible for E-RATE,
wiring/cables were upgraded in 2009)
1
1000
$1000
1
1000
$1000
Maintenance, Upgrades estimate (wires, cables, misc. parts) (to be eligible for E-RATE,
wiring/cables were upgraded in 2009)
ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode, 2010) fee is for payment of the
internet data pipeline to the high school,
which will become the main line for the school campus.
Contract has been renegotiated at the State level (E-RATE),
resulting in a lower fee.
1
25,450
$25,450
1
25,450
$25,450
ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode, 2010) fee is for payment of the internet data pipeline to the high school,
which will become the main line for the school campus. Contract has
been renegotiated at the State level(E-RATE), resulting in a lower fee.
SUB TOTAL
129180
128700
Cost savings of non-replacement of 2 retiring health instructors
who retire at $82,500 and $84,700 respectively.
Employing new teachers would cost approximately
$36,000/yr per teacher
1 Health teacher remains - students have the choice of taking course in physical classroom or online through TRECA.
2
36,000
$72,000
2
36,000
$72,000
GRAND TOTAL (not including ARRA grant money appropriated among tech projects)
57180
56700
GRAND TOTAL (not including ARRA grant money appropriated among tech projects)
Online Courses
Moodle (Moodle, 2010)
In Fiscal Year 2011-2012, the district plans to continue building on the essential core technology summarized in our current five-year Technology Plan, modified to incorporate new technologies and instructional program initiatives. One such technology is the implementation of a Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment (Moodle). Moodle is a software package for producing Internet-based courses and web sites, otherwise known as a "course management system". The first initiative of Moodle is to allow any student who has not fulfilled the graduate requirement of a core unit in Financial Literacy the alternative of completing this unit online via an asynchronous course. Future initiatives may include additional virtual online courses, as well as a district-wide rollout of Moodle for administration and staff use. Over time, the district technology goal is that the Moodle open-source content management system will be refined and expanded, as well as appropriate and sufficient professional development opportunities will be available so that educators gain increased comfortability utilizing the system.
The first rollout of Moodle will begin during the summer break prior to the 2011 school year. The Financial Literacy instructor(s) will work in partnership with the school and county technology coordinators to design an asynchronous online course using the online system. The instructor(s) will be given a stipend and release time to develop and test the course prior to implementation, and then a stipend allocated at $50.00 per student to administer the course. There is no fee to the student for the Financial Literacy course.
The district budget currently includes a membership to the county technology consortium. This membership entitles the district to utilize the services of the county technology coordinators. Additional fees are applicable for specialized services such as working in conjunction with the district technology coordinator to install Moodle on all district computers, as well as assisting in the set-up of a district Moodle account. Future professional development provided by a county technology coordinator to district employees is covered financially under the consortium agreement. Initially, professional development will be given to the technology specialists, the high school teacher(s) who will be accountable for the Financial Literacy online program, and the high school secretarial staff.
Professional development for high school administrators, teachers, and staff will take place during the spring 2011 semester during one in-service day ("Introductory to Moodle"), subsequent workshops to be held off-site, and 1/2 day release time will be arranged for teachers to develop a class website. Additional professional development will be available to teachers and staff by attending a two-day "Moodle Boot Camp" workshop at the county consortium building. Substitute personnel will be arranged to cover the staff for release time and attending workshops. After attending the "Introductory to Moodle" in-service day, teachers and staff will have access to the Moodle system. Additional questions can be answered either by the district technology coordinator or the online resources available to Moodle users. The following school year, 2012-2013, the district will provide the same professional development services for the middle school administration, teachers, and staff - similar to the high school training. The same training will be held the following year, 2013-2014 with the elementary administration, teachers, and staff.
The high school teachers and staff will have the spring 2011 semester, the summer, as well as the full 2011-2012 school year to learn the Moodle program and set-up their classroom website. Prior to fall 2011 semester, the district will arrange for four weekend sessions to be held in the high school computer labs. High school parents will be able to register in advance to learn how to access the Parental version of Moodle. The technology coordinator will lead a demonstration at each session. Principals, administrators, and volunteer teachers and staff will be on hand for questions. Beginning the first week of the 2011 fall semester, high school students will be given access to their individual Moodle accounts and a unit on how to use Moodle during their technology core period.
A unit on how to use Moodle will be given to elementary students during their technology "specials" time beginning during the fall 2012 semester. Middle school and high school students will have an introductory unit on Moodle during their technology class and will be able to access Moodle at that time. Parents of middle school and elementary school students will have similar explanatory weekend sessions, similar to the high school sessions, to be arranged during the fall 2012 semester. Elementary students will have limited access (homework assignments, calendar, course schedule, etc.) until January 2014, when all students will have had the opportunity to take the introductory unit on Moodle. At this time, Moodle will be fully functional district-wide.
TRECA Digital Academy
In addition to the initial Financial Literacy online course provided by one of the high school instructors, the district also plans to introduce additional virtual online courses provided by Tri-Rivers Educational Computer Association (TRECA), which offers courses through their digital academy. The district will begin by offering high school students whose grade point averages qualify them to enroll in select courses using the credit-flexibility option (Ohio Department of Education, 2010). These courses include Mandarin Chinese and Japanese. One additional online course, Health, will be available for credit to all high school students through TRECA. The cost of these courses are charged to the district per student at the cost of $250.00 per course. Students should have computer access and internet connection available at home prior to registration. Students taking foreign language courses through TRECA will be scheduled by the guidance counselor as a foreign language period and will report to the library video-conference area. Students will also be able to access digital courses/homework during their study hall period, in which they will report to a private study area in the library/media center that will be equipped with a computer and internet access.
CURRENT REALITY: ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY
Central Valley City School District maintains a database of computer equipment that allows administrators easy access to data. This database simplifies the task of reporting data for the Ohio Department of Education Annual Hardware Survey. Having the database available for queries make it easy to know things such as serial numbers of a particular computer model or where certain models of computers are located within the district. Our network and communications infrastructure allows the district to provide excellent bandwidth and dependability for all users. Within each school and administrative location we have integrated a wired local area network (LAN).
Each classroom has at least one networked computer and a printer; many have two or more networked computers that were installed during the 2009-2010 school year. All elementary and middle schools have at least one computer lab with thirty workstations. The high school has two computer labs with one multi-purpose instructional lab and one vocational computer lab. The middle school has one mobile lab and the district is requisitioning a mobile lab for the high school. Each lab contains a set of 15 wireless notebook computers stored in a cart. Students will be able to use these laptops to access the virtual courses during their foreign language period in the library video-conferencing room, as well as during their study hall periods. They will not be loaned for periods outside of the school day. During the 2007-2008 school year, all teachers in Central Valley Local Schools were issued laptop computers. Teachers and administrators have access to school email, grades and other student data at home.
The current technology plan indicates that the computer labs will have new computers installed prior to the start of the 2012 school year. The current teacher laptops will be replaced with new laptops by the end of the 2013 school year. The classroom computers will be replaced prior to the start of the 2015 school year. The classroom computer situation will also be re-evaluated prior to hardware replacement and additional computers may be installed at that time.
Additional Financing via State Funding
The technology budget indicates that there are allocated funds, but not substantial enough to sustain the district’s planned investment in 21st Century educational technology. Many options are being considered such as technology grants, etc. The state agency, eTech Ohio, is supporting school districts who plan on utilizing Web 2.0 technology integration. The instructional leadership, understanding the need for additional monies, has applied for Federal aid that is dispersed through states. The information listed below describes the program and approximately how much money will be allocated to our district for technology.
"...The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 provides $10 billion nationally in new funding for programs under Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965. The ARRA will provide $650 million for Education Technology State grants, which fall under the statutes of the Title II-D Enhancing Education Through Technology Program. Ohio will receive approximately $23.9 million under the ARRA Title II-D grant which is being allocated in two rounds. The Ohio Department of Education, in consultation with eTech Ohio will award the grants to school districts/buildings, which meet specific eligibility criteria identified in the Request for Proposals, through a competitive application process..."
"...This competitive grant focuses on Professional Development and Student Learning. It offers a unique opportunity to schools that are ready and willing to embrace the change that is required for 21st century learning. Through sustained, collaborative, job-embedded professional development and the use of research-based methods, teachers will experience new models and strategies for teaching and learning. Teachers will become facilitators and co-learners, and create technology-enabled learning environments in which students will meet or exceed the state academic content standards and develop 21st century skills..."
"...The 21st century classroom not only has modern tools, equipment and content; it also includes an innovative educator who has been trained to use the tools effectively. Ongoing professional development supports the life-long growth of a teacher and ultimately each student. Ongoing professional development should not only train teachers how to use technology, but also how to integrate technology into the curriculum. Educators can engage in professional development through access to online courses, professional learning communities, and education portals with resources..."
Amount of Government Grant
"...The total amount allocated for each eligible school building is $225,504. However, the amount that will be available for Phase One is $101,700. This will be the maximum amount that applicants can budget for in the application. (This amount includes enough allocation to meet the federal requirement of 25% for professional development for both Phase One and Phase Two.)..."
How this applies to Central Valley’s online courses assessment plan:
from the Frequently Asked Questions site of eTech, (eTech, 2010)
Allocations
Ihave logged onto the CCIP however the allocations are not listed for my school building. Can you tell me where to locate the allocations?
...The total amount allocated for each eligible school building is $225,504. However, the amount that will be available for Phase One is $101,700. This will be the maximum amount that applicants can budget for in the application. (This amount includes enough allocation to meet the federal requirement of 25% for professional development for both Phase One and Phase Two.) You will create another budget for Phase Two when doing your Action Plan... Coach If a district has two buildings who are awarded the grant, can they use one person to serve as the 2 half time coaches needed for the two awarded grants?
...Yes. The .5 FTE Technology Integration Coach must provide 20 hours/week for each of the 4-teacher team in a building... Could a teacher from our building serve as the .5 FTE Technology Integration Coach? Would this be considered supplanting?
...Yes. The goal of the grant is to develop the capacity of educators in the school buildings to integrate technology effectively into the classroom. So we strongly recommend selecting someone within the eligible building who is familiar with the culture of the school district/building to serve as the Technology Integration Coach. It would not be considered ‘supplant' if you hire a teacher as the .5 FTE (20 hours/week) Technology Integration Coach with the grant funds as that role did not exist previously. However, your district would still cover the cost of that teacher's .5 FTE position as a teacher and would probably need to hire and pay for another half time teacher. Budget** Does the $10,000 per year maximum apply to the hiring an out-of-district consultant to serve as the .5 FTE (20 hours /week) technology integration coach to fulfill the requirement of the grant?
...No. The coach is required for the grant, therefore, the $10,000 maximum does not apply... Do we have to budget $18,000 for the state-sponsored professional development?
...Yes. The teams of teachers, coach and the administrator will be participating in state-sponsored throughout the two years. The building must budget to pay $18,000 once the first grant disbursement is made to the school. It says in the grant when certain monies are to be spent for phase 1/2. It does not give permission to buy any hardware until phase 2, if I'm understanding correctly. But if we are to spend the first year in professional development about the technology we will be using, why can't we buy it until after all the professional development (PD) is completed?
...The focus of Phase I is the intensive state-sponsored professional development on teaching and learning not the equipment. During Phase I, teachers, the building administrator and the technology integration coach can purchase a laptop and MP3 player if needed. There will be no need to purchase additional equipment until after the building teams have learned more about 21st century learning environments. We believe the teams will have a better understanding of what equipment to purchase to meet their needs after going through the PD.
E-RATE
(United States Department of Education, 2007)
"The Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund, commonly known as "E-Rate," is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and provides discounts to assist most schools and libraries in the United States to obtain affordable telecommunications and Internet access. It is one of four support programs funded through a Universal Service fee charged to companies that provide interstate and/or international telecommunications services.
The Schools and Libraries Program supports connectivity - the conduit or pipeline for communications using telecommunications services and/or the Internet. Funding is requested under four categories of service: telecommunications services, Internet access, internal connections, and basic maintenance of internal connections. Discounts for support depend on the level of poverty and the urban/rural status of the population served and range from 20% to 90% of the costs of eligible services. Eligible schools, school districts and libraries may apply individually or as part of a consortium.
Applicants must provide additional resources including end-user equipment (e.g., computers, telephones, etc.), software, professional development, and the other elements that are necessary to utilize the connectivity funded by the Schools and Libraries Program (Universal Service Administrative Company, 2010)."
Budget and Program
OVERVIEWThe Central Valley City Schools’ technology program supports all district technology needs: administration and curriculum & instruction. Starting with the Superintendent, and including personnel from the principals up to and including the custodians, as well as approximately 1,700 students - all individuals have appropriate access to computer hardware, software applications and the Internet. To support the end-user’s technology needs, the current program includes: the wide-area network (WAN), which connects eight schools and the main office to each other and to the Internet; building-level local area networks (LANs) connecting the 550 plus end-user computers; network servers, printers, wireless devices, and peripherals such as scanners, electronic interactive whiteboards and computer projection systems.
Budgeting for Online Courses
The school board appropriates funds every fiscal year that are designated for technology expenditures. In addition to the yearly fund, Central Valley has also acquired a grant through the state (see "Additional Financing" below) to help offset additional costs related to the implementation of a course management system. The grant has been approved, but not disbursed. The administration will allocate grant funding on a percentage basis among all technology projects, including the Moodle/TRECA implementation.
Proposed Budget for Implementation of Moodle Install/Online Courses
OECN support agreement
(Management Council Ohio Education Computer Network, 2010)
OECN support agreement
2 days * 20 staff = 40 * $90. (sub) = $3,600
2 nts hotel *20 staff = 40 * $135. = $ 5,400
misc (gas/meals) $800.00
2 days * 20 staff = 40 * $90. (sub) = $3,600
2 nts hotel *20 staff = 40 * $135. = $ 5,400
misc (gas/meals) $800.00
each staff 2 day wksp & 1/2 day release time - HS teachers
2 days * 125 staff =250 * $90. (sub) = $22,500
.5 day * 110 teachers/rel time = 55 * $50. (sub) = 2,750
each staff 2 day wksp & 1/2 day release time - MS teachers
2 days * 125 staff =250 * $90. (sub) = $22,500
.5 day * 110 teachers/rel time = 55 * $50. (sub) = 2,750
(in-services & in-house workshops during early release days)
*outsourcing technical help to work with staff
(in-services & in-house workshops during early release days)
*outsourcing technical help to work with staff
system admin w/ district technology coordinator
20 hours * 70/hour
500.00 stipend to design online unit
1 day release time to set-up course ($90.00 sub)
30 computers * 8 labs (to be purchased in June
& installed over summer)
(to be eligible for E-RATE,
wiring/cables were upgraded in 2009)
(to be eligible for E-RATE,
wiring/cables were upgraded in 2009)
internet data pipeline to the high school,
which will become the main line for the school campus.
Contract has been renegotiated at the State level (E-RATE),
resulting in a lower fee.
which will become the main line for the school campus. Contract has
been renegotiated at the State level(E-RATE), resulting in a lower fee.
who retire at $82,500 and $84,700 respectively.
Employing new teachers would cost approximately
$36,000/yr per teacher
Online Courses
Moodle (Moodle, 2010)
In Fiscal Year 2011-2012, the district plans to continue building on the essential core technology summarized in our current five-year Technology Plan, modified to incorporate new technologies and instructional program initiatives. One such technology is the implementation of a Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment (Moodle). Moodle is a software package for producing Internet-based courses and web sites, otherwise known as a "course management system". The first initiative of Moodle is to allow any student who has not fulfilled the graduate requirement of a core unit in Financial Literacy the alternative of completing this unit online via an asynchronous course. Future initiatives may include additional virtual online courses, as well as a district-wide rollout of Moodle for administration and staff use. Over time, the district technology goal is that the Moodle open-source content management system will be refined and expanded, as well as appropriate and sufficient professional development opportunities will be available so that educators gain increased comfortability utilizing the system.The first rollout of Moodle will begin during the summer break prior to the 2011 school year. The Financial Literacy instructor(s) will work in partnership with the school and county technology coordinators to design an asynchronous online course using the online system. The instructor(s) will be given a stipend and release time to develop and test the course prior to implementation, and then a stipend allocated at $50.00 per student to administer the course. There is no fee to the student for the Financial Literacy course.
The district budget currently includes a membership to the county technology consortium. This membership entitles the district to utilize the services of the county technology coordinators. Additional fees are applicable for specialized services such as working in conjunction with the district technology coordinator to install Moodle on all district computers, as well as assisting in the set-up of a district Moodle account. Future professional development provided by a county technology coordinator to district employees is covered financially under the consortium agreement. Initially, professional development will be given to the technology specialists, the high school teacher(s) who will be accountable for the Financial Literacy online program, and the high school secretarial staff.
Professional development for high school administrators, teachers, and staff will take place during the spring 2011 semester during one in-service day ("Introductory to Moodle"), subsequent workshops to be held off-site, and 1/2 day release time will be arranged for teachers to develop a class website. Additional professional development will be available to teachers and staff by attending a two-day "Moodle Boot Camp" workshop at the county consortium building. Substitute personnel will be arranged to cover the staff for release time and attending workshops. After attending the "Introductory to Moodle" in-service day, teachers and staff will have access to the Moodle system. Additional questions can be answered either by the district technology coordinator or the online resources available to Moodle users. The following school year, 2012-2013, the district will provide the same professional development services for the middle school administration, teachers, and staff - similar to the high school training. The same training will be held the following year, 2013-2014 with the elementary administration, teachers, and staff.
The high school teachers and staff will have the spring 2011 semester, the summer, as well as the full 2011-2012 school year to learn the Moodle program and set-up their classroom website. Prior to fall 2011 semester, the district will arrange for four weekend sessions to be held in the high school computer labs. High school parents will be able to register in advance to learn how to access the Parental version of Moodle. The technology coordinator will lead a demonstration at each session. Principals, administrators, and volunteer teachers and staff will be on hand for questions. Beginning the first week of the 2011 fall semester, high school students will be given access to their individual Moodle accounts and a unit on how to use Moodle during their technology core period.
A unit on how to use Moodle will be given to elementary students during their technology "specials" time beginning during the fall 2012 semester. Middle school and high school students will have an introductory unit on Moodle during their technology class and will be able to access Moodle at that time. Parents of middle school and elementary school students will have similar explanatory weekend sessions, similar to the high school sessions, to be arranged during the fall 2012 semester. Elementary students will have limited access (homework assignments, calendar, course schedule, etc.) until January 2014, when all students will have had the opportunity to take the introductory unit on Moodle. At this time, Moodle will be fully functional district-wide.
TRECA Digital Academy
In addition to the initial Financial Literacy online course provided by one of the high school instructors, the district also plans to introduce additional virtual online courses provided by Tri-Rivers Educational Computer Association (TRECA), which offers courses through their digital academy. The district will begin by offering high school students whose grade point averages qualify them to enroll in select courses using the credit-flexibility option (Ohio Department of Education, 2010). These courses include Mandarin Chinese and Japanese. One additional online course, Health, will be available for credit to all high school students through TRECA. The cost of these courses are charged to the district per student at the cost of $250.00 per course. Students should have computer access and internet connection available at home prior to registration. Students taking foreign language courses through TRECA will be scheduled by the guidance counselor as a foreign language period and will report to the library video-conference area. Students will also be able to access digital courses/homework during their study hall period, in which they will report to a private study area in the library/media center that will be equipped with a computer and internet access.CURRENT REALITY: ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY
Central Valley City School District maintains a database of computer equipment that allows administrators easy access to data. This database simplifies the task of reporting data for the Ohio Department of Education Annual Hardware Survey. Having the database available for queries make it easy to know things such as serial numbers of a particular computer model or where certain models of computers are located within the district. Our network and communications infrastructure allows the district to provide excellent bandwidth and dependability for all users. Within each school and administrative location we have integrated a wired local area network (LAN).
Each classroom has at least one networked computer and a printer; many have two or more networked computers that were installed during the 2009-2010 school year. All elementary and middle schools have at least one computer lab with thirty workstations. The high school has two computer labs with one multi-purpose instructional lab and one vocational computer lab. The middle school has one mobile lab and the district is requisitioning a mobile lab for the high school. Each lab contains a set of 15 wireless notebook computers stored in a cart. Students will be able to use these laptops to access the virtual courses during their foreign language period in the library video-conferencing room, as well as during their study hall periods. They will not be loaned for periods outside of the school day. During the 2007-2008 school year, all teachers in Central Valley Local Schools were issued laptop computers. Teachers and administrators have access to school email, grades and other student data at home.
The current technology plan indicates that the computer labs will have new computers installed prior to the start of the 2012 school year. The current teacher laptops will be replaced with new laptops by the end of the 2013 school year. The classroom computers will be replaced prior to the start of the 2015 school year. The classroom computer situation will also be re-evaluated prior to hardware replacement and additional computers may be installed at that time.
Additional Financing via State Funding
The technology budget indicates that there are allocated funds, but not substantial enough to sustain the district’s planned investment in 21st Century educational technology. Many options are being considered such as technology grants, etc. The state agency, eTech Ohio, is supporting school districts who plan on utilizing Web 2.0 technology integration. The instructional leadership, understanding the need for additional monies, has applied for Federal aid that is dispersed through states. The information listed below describes the program and approximately how much money will be allocated to our district for technology."...The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 provides $10 billion nationally in new funding for programs under Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965. The ARRA will provide $650 million for Education Technology State grants, which fall under the statutes of the Title II-D Enhancing Education Through Technology Program. Ohio will receive approximately $23.9 million under the ARRA Title II-D grant which is being allocated in two rounds. The Ohio Department of Education, in consultation with eTech Ohio will award the grants to school districts/buildings, which meet specific eligibility criteria identified in the Request for Proposals, through a competitive application process..."
"...This competitive grant focuses on Professional Development and Student Learning. It offers a unique opportunity to schools that are ready and willing to embrace the change that is required for 21st century learning. Through sustained, collaborative, job-embedded professional development and the use of research-based methods, teachers will experience new models and strategies for teaching and learning. Teachers will become facilitators and co-learners, and create technology-enabled learning environments in which students will meet or exceed the state academic content standards and develop 21st century skills..."
"...The 21st century classroom not only has modern tools, equipment and content; it also includes an innovative educator who has been trained to use the tools effectively. Ongoing professional development supports the life-long growth of a teacher and ultimately each student. Ongoing professional development should not only train teachers how to use technology, but also how to integrate technology into the curriculum. Educators can engage in professional development through access to online courses, professional learning communities, and education portals with resources..."
Amount of Government Grant
"...The total amount allocated for each eligible school building is $225,504. However, the amount that will be available for Phase One is $101,700. This will be the maximum amount that applicants can budget for in the application. (This amount includes enough allocation to meet the federal requirement of 25% for professional development for both Phase One and Phase Two.)..."How this applies to Central Valley’s online courses assessment plan:
from the Frequently Asked Questions site of eTech, (eTech, 2010)Allocations
I have logged onto the CCIP however the allocations are not listed for my school building. Can you tell me where to locate the allocations?...The total amount allocated for each eligible school building is $225,504. However, the amount that will be available for Phase One is $101,700. This will be the maximum amount that applicants can budget for in the application. (This amount includes enough allocation to meet the federal requirement of 25% for professional development for both Phase One and Phase Two.) You will create another budget for Phase Two when doing your Action Plan...
Coach
If a district has two buildings who are awarded the grant, can they use one person to serve as the 2 half time coaches needed for the two awarded grants?
...Yes. The .5 FTE Technology Integration Coach must provide 20 hours/week for each of the 4-teacher team in a building...
Could a teacher from our building serve as the .5 FTE Technology Integration Coach? Would this be considered supplanting?
...Yes. The goal of the grant is to develop the capacity of educators in the school buildings to integrate technology effectively into the classroom. So we strongly recommend selecting someone within the eligible building who is familiar with the culture of the school district/building to serve as the Technology Integration Coach. It would not be considered ‘supplant' if you hire a teacher as the .5 FTE (20 hours/week) Technology Integration Coach with the grant funds as that role did not exist previously. However, your district would still cover the cost of that teacher's .5 FTE position as a teacher and would probably need to hire and pay for another half time teacher.
Budget**
Does the $10,000 per year maximum apply to the hiring an out-of-district consultant to serve as the .5 FTE (20 hours /week) technology integration coach to fulfill the requirement of the grant?
...No. The coach is required for the grant, therefore, the $10,000 maximum does not apply...
Do we have to budget $18,000 for the state-sponsored professional development?
...Yes. The teams of teachers, coach and the administrator will be participating in state-sponsored throughout the two years. The building must budget to pay $18,000 once the first grant disbursement is made to the school.
It says in the grant when certain monies are to be spent for phase 1/2. It does not give permission to buy any hardware until phase 2, if I'm understanding correctly. But if we are to spend the first year in professional development about the technology we will be using, why can't we buy it until after all the professional development (PD) is completed?
...The focus of Phase I is the intensive state-sponsored professional development on teaching and learning not the equipment. During Phase I, teachers, the building administrator and the technology integration coach can purchase a laptop and MP3 player if needed. There will be no need to purchase additional equipment until after the building teams have learned more about 21st century learning environments. We believe the teams will have a better understanding of what equipment to purchase to meet their needs after going through the PD.
E-RATE
(United States Department of Education, 2007)"The Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund, commonly known as "E-Rate," is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and provides discounts to assist most schools and libraries in the United States to obtain affordable telecommunications and Internet access. It is one of four support programs funded through a Universal Service fee charged to companies that provide interstate and/or international telecommunications services.
The Schools and Libraries Program supports connectivity - the conduit or pipeline for communications using telecommunications services and/or the Internet. Funding is requested under four categories of service: telecommunications services, Internet access, internal connections, and basic maintenance of internal connections. Discounts for support depend on the level of poverty and the urban/rural status of the population served and range from 20% to 90% of the costs of eligible services. Eligible schools, school districts and libraries may apply individually or as part of a consortium.
Applicants must provide additional resources including end-user equipment (e.g., computers, telephones, etc.), software, professional development, and the other elements that are necessary to utilize the connectivity funded by the Schools and Libraries Program (Universal Service Administrative Company, 2010)."